Methods of producing a polymer film on a fibre

ABSTRACT

A polymer film is formed on the surface of a fibre by a twostage process in which the fibre first has applied thereto an emulsified polar substance and then has applied thereto a substance which reacts with the polar substance to form the polymer.

I United States Patent 11 1 Schuierer 5] Nov. 4, 1975 METHODS OF PRODUCING A POLYMER [56] References Cited FILM ON A UNITED STATES PATENTS Inventor: Manfred Schuierer, Erbach, 3,083,118 3/l963 Bridgeford 117/62.1 Odenwald, Germany 3,505,001 4/1970 Wagner ll7/62.1 [73] Assigneet Bruckner Apparatebau GmbH, 3,537,880 11/1970 Kuz mak ll7/62.l

Erbach, Odenwald, Germany u 1 Primary ExaminerW1ll1am D. Martin [22] Ffled: 1973 Assistant Examiner-Janyce A. Bell 2 APPL 3 7 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Leannan & McCulloch [30] Foreign Application Priority Data ABSTRACT Feb. 18, 1972 Germany 2207687 A polymer film is formed on the surface of a fibre by a two-stage process in which the fibre first has applied [52] US. Cl. 427/342; ll7/62.l thereto an emulsified polar substance and then has ap- [51] Int. Cl. B05D 3/10 plied thereto a substance which reacts with the polar [58] Field of Search ll7/62.l, 140 R, 140 A, substance to form the polymer.

ll7/l39.5 CQ, 139.5 A, 161 R, 161 P 5 Claims, No Drawings METHODS OF PRODUCING A POLYMER FILM ON A FIBRE This invention relates to a method for producing a polymer film on the surface of a fibre, the fibre being capable of absorbing polar materials, by a two-stage method, wherein in the first stage of the method a first reaction partner and in the second stage of the method a second reaction partner are applied to form the polymer film on the fibre.

In order to produce a polymer film on the surface of a fibre, it is known to apply the two reaction partners (monomers, oligomers, possibly catalysts) to the fibre from a homogeneous bath or phase, to dry off the diluent, and to polymerize the film. This simple method cannot, however, be used if the two reaction partners react with each other in the bath.

In this latter case the polymer film must be produced by a two-stage method, wherein in the first stage of the method a first reaction partner and in the second stage of the method a second reaction partner are applied. With the method of this type previously known, the fibre is impregnated with a solution of the first reaction partner; the liquor (including the chemicals which constitute the first reaction partner) is then present in all the interstices of the fibre formation. If the resultant impregnated material is now dipped in a bath containing the second reaction partner, the polymer film is formed everywhere the first reaction partner is present, i.e., especially in the interstices and at the intersections 2 second reaction partner reacts with itself and thus forms the polymer film.

Finally a catalyst may also be used as the polar first reaction partner which enables the second reaction partner to form the polymer film.

The reaction partners used to form the polymer film can be present in the form of monomers or oligomers.

A certain time duration is preferably allowed to pass between the first and second 'stages of the process, in order to ensure spreading of the first reaction partner on the fibre surface.

The polar reaction partner is preferably emulsified while diluted with water.

The use of the method provided by the invention has particular value in producing a polymer film on worsted tops, wherein with the usual previous methods it is especially difficult to produce a soft feel and to prevent adhesion of the fibres.

The method in accordance with the invention may be explained in more detail from the following example:

In order to form a polymer film on worsted tops, a first polar reaction partner comprising 20g/l of hexamethylenediamine, g/l of water, and lOg/l of emulsifier, is added to a non-polar solvent, Le. 1000 ml of perchlorethylene. The liquor take-up amounts to 100 volume-%.

This emulsion is applied to the fibres in the first stage of the method, before the impregnated fibres are put in the fibre structure. The result is an undesirably hard feel and a bonding of the fibres.

The object of the invention is to provide a method which avoids this disadvantage.

According to the invention this object is achieved in that the one polar reaction partner is put in emulsion form into a non-polar solvent, and this emulsion is applied to the fibres in the first stage of the method.

In this case the polar reaction partner has a tendency to withdraw from the non-polar solvent and to deposit on the fibres capable of absorbing polar substances. The emulsion is thus only held mechanically in the interstices of the fibre structure, especially at the intersections; these areas thus become impoverished (in comparison with the fibre surface) as regards the polar first reaction partner. Consequently, during application of the second reaction partner is the second stage of the method, the polymer film can in general only form on the fibre surface, but not in the interstices and at the intersections in the fibre structure. The material is thus given the required soft feel, and adhesion of the fibres is avoided.

According to the invention, the polar first reaction partner may be a material which forms the polymer film with a second material constituting the second reaction partner.

Within the scope of the invention it is however also possible to use as the polar first reaction partner a substance which in the presence of a catalyst forming the into a second bath which contains 20g/l of sebacyl acid chloride in 1000 ml of polychlorethylene.

The polymer 'film which is immediately formed is found only on the fibre surface. The worsted tops are not bonded together and have a soft feel.

The application of the two reaction partners can take place continuously, e.g., by padding, spraying, wetting, slopping, or discontinuously, e.g., by dipping followed by spinning or by treating the fabric in circulation equipment.

What is claimed is:

l. A two-stage method for producing a polymer film on the surface of a fibre capable of absorbing a polar substance, comprising the steps of applying hexamethylenediamine as a first reaction, partner to a fibre capable of absorbing a polar material, said first reaction partner emulsified in a non-polar solvent, and thereafter applying sebacyl acid chloride as a second reaction partner to said fibre having said first reaction partner absorbed thereon, and causing said first and second reaction partners to react in situ on said fibre to provide a polymer film.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said fibre is in a worsted fabric.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the polar substance is emulsified from a dilute aqueous solution of the substance.

4. The method according to claim I wherein the second reaction partner is dissolved in a non-polar solvent and is applied to the fibre as a solution.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the non-polar solvent is perchlorethylene. 

1. A TWO-STAGE METHOD FOR PRODUCING A POLYMER FILM ON THE SURFACE OF A FIBRE CAPABLE OF ABSORBING A POLAR SUBSTANCE. COMPRISING THE STEPS OF APPLYING HEXAMETHYLENEDIAMINE AS A FIRST REACTION PARTNER TO A FIBRE CAPABLE OF ABSORBING A POLAR MATERIAL, SAID FIRST REACTION PARTNER EMULSIFIED IN A NON-POLAR SOLVENT, AND THEREAFTER APPLYING SEBACYL ACID CHLORIDE AS A SECOND RACTION PARTNER TO SAID FIBRE HAVING SAID FIRST REACTION PARTNER ABSORBED THEREON, AND CAUSING SAID FIRST AND SECOND REACTION PARTNERS TO REACT IN SITU ON SAID FIBRE TO PROVIDE A POLYMER FILM.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said fibre is in a worsted fabric.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the polar substance is emulsified from a dilute aqueous solution of the substance.
 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the second reaction partner is dissolved in a non-polar solvent and is applied to the fibre as a solution.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the non-polar solvent is perchlorethylene. 